Relaxation system with haptic actuator

Abstract

A relaxation device includes an enclosure, a linear vibrator, at least one processing device, and a power source. The linear vibrator is positioned in the enclosure and is configured to impart a uniaxial force on at least a portion of the enclosure. The processing device is in electrical communication with the linear vibrator and is configured to control operation of the linear vibrator. The power source is in the enclosure and electrically connected with the processing device and the linear vibrator.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A relaxation device comprising:
 an enclosure configured to rest on a person's sternum or be held in a person's hand, the enclosure including an upper shell and a lower shell made from a rigid plastic or metal; 
 a linear vibrator mounted in the enclosure and positioned within the enclosure to impart a uniaxial force on a portion of the lower shell made from the rigid plastic or metal to provide a haptic sensation, wherein the linear vibrator has a root mean square acceleration of at least 0.2 g rms  for every 200 mW of power consumed by the linear vibrator; 
 at least one processing device in electrical communication with the linear vibrator, the at least one processing device being configured to control operation of the linear vibrator; and 
 a power source in the enclosure and electrically connected with the at least one processing device and the linear vibrator. 
 
     
     
       2. The relaxation device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear vibrator has a resonant frequency between 45-100 Hz. 
     
     
       3. The relaxation device of  claim 2 , wherein the linear vibrator has an operating frequency between 45-100 Hz. 
     
     
       4. The relaxation device of  claim 3 , wherein the linear vibrator has an operating frequency of 60 Hz or 65 Hz. 
     
     
       5. The relaxation device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear vibrator is a speaker coil. 
     
     
       6. The relaxation device of  claim 1 , wherein the linear vibrator is a linear vibration motor including a spring-mass system with an electromagnet. 
     
     
       7. The relaxation device of  claim 6 , wherein along a cross section taken normal to an axis parallel to the uniaxial force and along a longest dimension of the enclosure, an area occupied by the linear vibrator is rectangular and less than 20% an overall internal area of the enclosure through the cross section. 
     
     
       8. The relaxation device of  claim 7 , wherein the linear vibrator is rectangular in shape along a cross section taken parallel to the uniaxial force. 
     
     
       9. The relaxation device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device generates a sine wave signal to drive the linear vibrator. 
     
     
       10. The relaxation device of  claim 9 , wherein the sine wave signal varies in amplitude over time. 
     
     
       11. The relaxation device of  claim 9 , further comprising an amplifier in electrical communication with the at least one processing device and the linear vibrator, wherein the amplifier amplifies the sine wave signal. 
     
     
       12. The relaxation device of  claim 11 , wherein the amplifier is an audio or operational amplifier. 
     
     
       13. The relaxation device of  claim 12 , wherein the amplifier has either fixed or adjustable gain. 
     
     
       14. A relaxation device comprising:
 an enclosure configured to rest on a person's sternum or be held in a person's hand, the enclosure including an upper shell and a lower shell made from a rigid plastic or metal; 
 a linear vibrator mounted in the enclosure and positioned within the enclosure to impart a uniaxial force on a portion of the lower shell made from the rigid plastic or metal to provide a haptic sensation; 
 at least one processing device in electrical communication with the linear vibrator the at least one processing device being configured to control operation of the linear vibrator; 
 a power source in the enclosure and electrically connected with the at least one processing device and the linear vibrator; and 
 a vibrator mounting post positioned within and integrally formed with the lower shell, the vibrator mounting post defining a mounting surface parallel to a direction of the uniaxial force, wherein the vibrator mounts to the mounting surface. 
 
     
     
       15. The relaxation device of  claim 14 , wherein the enclosure defines a scent capsule cavity configured to receive a replaceable scent capsule, and wherein along a cross section taken parallel to the uniaxial force and along a longest dimension of the enclosure, the power source is positioned between the scent capsule cavity and the linear vibrator.